Axelay [Model SHVC-AX]

Axelay © 1992 Konami Company, Limited.

Axelay is a horizontal/forward shooter developed by Konami. In a far future, the peaceful Ilis star system has been invaded by a merciless alien army known as the Dark Empire. The star fighter Axelay is developed in an attempt to stop the invading force, and it is sent out to fly deep inside enemy territory to destroy it from within. The most unique feature of the game is definitively the overhead/vertical stages - unlike most of its peers, Axelay alternates between two styles of play : overhead/vertical and horizontal stages. The overhead levels heavily rely on sprite deformation and scaling effects, and the enemies as well as the background scenery smoothly roll into view and give the game its distinctive character. The horizontal stages are a lot more traditional and yet, they also feature smooth parallax scrolling, sprite deformations and unique visual effects. However, the game doesn't feature any in-game power ups, and the Axelay fighter comes equipped with three weapon slots (main weapon, side weapon and missiles) and the player can freely switch from one slot to another at any time during the game. Beside, the Axelay prototype star fighter can only acquire new types of weapons after completing a new area, which gives the player the ability to pick different slot combinations as the game progresses. Weapon slots also act as temporary shields, and sustaining a hit automatically damages and eventually disables the active weapon. Axelay consists of six stages and is single player only.